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Psilocybin Patent Updates – CaaMTech, LLC

On August 9, 2018, the United States Patent and Trademark Office published U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2018/0221396, by Andrew R. Chadeayne and assigned to CaaMTech (aka “the CaaMTech Application”).

The application is titled Compositions and Methods Comprising a Psilocybin Derivative. This application responds to the community’s longstanding unmet need for new and improved psilocybin formulations. The subject matter of the application is described below. When this application was filed, the “state of the art” for psilocybin provided for either (A) naturally occurring magic mushrooms or (B) in very limited circumstances, purified psilocybin.

The state of the art lacked any appreciation for active psilocybin derivatives (e.g., baeocystin) other than psilocybin itself.

The state of the art lacked any appreciation for the synergistic effects achieved by co-administering a first psilocybin derivative with a second psilocybin derivative. This mindset is akin to the cannabis industry, which only recently recognized the importance of the “entourage effect” in cannabis products. See Scientific American April 20, 2017, “Some of the Parts: Is Marijuana’s “Entourage Effect” Scientifically Valid?” (Discounting the polypharmacology of cannabis and concluding that THC is the sole active ingredient).

The state of the art lacked any appreciation for the synergistic effects achieved by co-administering a first psilocybin derivative with a second neurotransmitter modulator.

Andrew R. Chadeayne is the sole inventor listed on the application. (That’s me.)

What is CaaMTech?

CaaMTech, LLC is a company formed to advance psilocybin research and patient access by leveraging the patent system. The key premises upon which CaaMTech’s strategy is based are as follow:

Psilocybin based medicines have incredible potential for treating some of the world’s worst mental health problems, such as depression.

With a few exceptions, psilocybin derivatives are only accessible by consuming “magic mushrooms.”

Magic mushrooms are often difficult to attain, unpleasant to consume, and highly variable in concentration/potency.

The pharmaceutical industry is excellent at formulating convenient, reliable, and precise dosage forms.

The pharmaceutical industry is hesitant in developing psilocybin based medicines because of their concern that psilocybin cannot be patented.

Some advocates of psychedelic medicine have expressed concern that involvement by pharmaceutical companies could hurt access to psychedelic medicine.

Some advocates of natural medicine have expressed concern that isolated, synthetic molecules do not provide the same benefits as eating the whole organism.

CaaMTech’s Mission = Using Patents for Good

CaaMTech aims to address all of the above concerns by strategically using its patent assets to support the expedient development of psilocybin formulations for treating mood disorders. Towards this goal, CaaMTech has developed the next generation of (patentable) psilocybin formulations. CaaMTech had captured that technology in a suite of patent applications. Now, CaaMTech is working to engage strategic partners who are best suited to do the greatest good for improving patient access to psilocybin based medicines.

Subject Matter of CaaMTech Application

The abstract of the CaaMTech Application reads as follows:

“new compositions and methods comprising a psilocybin derivative. In one embodiment, the compositions disclosed herein are used for a method of regulating a neurotransmitter receptor, e.g., a serotonin receptor. In one embodiment, the compositions disclosed herein comprise purified compounds, e.g., a purified psilocybin derivative, a purified cannabinoid, or purified terpene.”

The subject matter disclosed in the CaaMTech Application includes at least the following categories of new, patentable subject matter:

Cannabis Beer – August 2018

Since that time, the cannabis industry has grown exponentially. And, several companies have developed cannabis technology. Most notably, Colorado-based ebbu has opened up a whole new area of formulated cannabis products, which use specific combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes to optimize the users’ experience.

Similarly, we predicted that a cannabis beer industry would emerge, creating a landscape for cannabis beer patents. Here’s the simple logic:

Recently, several players have entered the cannabis beer space. Below are updates that have been in the recent mainstream news.

Cannabis beer update: Hi Fi Hops

On August 8, 2018, Business Insider wrote an article about a new beer (Hi Fi Hops by Lagunitas/Heineken) that is brewed with marijuana. See also The Wall Street Journal. The Lagunitas brew is currently available in two varieties. The beer is available in two varieties, neither of which contain alcohol. One is purely THC, with 10mg per can (roughly the same as you’d find in an edible like a gummy); the other is a hybrid variety with 5mg of THC and 5mg of CBD.

CERIA – Cannabis Beer by Blue Moon’s Inventor Keith Villa

Heineken is not the first beer company to develop cannabis beer. In January of this year, Forbes Magazine reported that Keith Villa, inventor of Blue Moon left Molson Coors in order to develop a new cannabis beer company called Ceria. According to Ceria’s website, Mr. Villa’s new creation will leverage the proprietary cannabinoid science of ebbu (see above).

The partnership between ebbu and Ceria is interesting. Combining the idea of (A) cannabis beer with (B) purposefully designed cannabis formulation will allow Ceria to create next generation cannabis beer products that do not suffer from the inherent chemical variability of cannabis plants.

Province Brands – Brewing with Waste Material

Other companies appear to be pursuing a more conventional approach of using cannabis plant material in the brewing process. One notable spin on a conventional brewing approach comes from Michael Wendschuh and Province Brands.

Province Brands uses cannabis waste material as an ingredient within the brewing process. They are literally brewing beer with garbage. According to an article in the Guardian, Province Brand’s beer “offers an alternate use for what is essentially a waste product for the industry.” According to Michael Wendschuh, “we take [the waste] off the grower’s hands, saving them the cost of hiring a licensed disposal company to dispose of them.”

Psilocybin Patents – Updates as of May 2018

A while back, we wrote an article about patenting psilocybin inventions. This topic has become more interesting because of the interests on both sides of psilocybin innovation. A growing body of scientific research suggests that psilocybin may provide substantial benefits for many people suffering from psychological disorders, such as depression an anxiety. See Journal of Psilocybin Science (Treatments) at PsilocybinTechnology.com.

A recent article by Herb.co highlights the debate over how money will affect innovation and access to psilocybin technology. (“Will psychedelics go corporate like cannabis?”) The article points to some potential conflicts over control and intellectual property.

Setting aside the issue of how corporations will affect the psilocybin space, we have kept up with our intellectual curiosity about psilocybin intellectual property. (New forms of natural products may be patentable). Recently, we noticed a few noteworthy events in the psilocybin IP space.

Psilocybin Patent Application by Paul Stamets

A patent application by Paul Stamets for “Compositions and methods for enhancing neuroregeneration and cognition by combining mushroom extracts containing active ingredients psilocin or psilocybin with erinacines or hericenones enhanced with niacin” recently published.

Paul Stamets is one of the world’s leading mycologists and an expert in psilocybin containing mushrooms. He is the author of several books on the topic, including one entitled Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World.

According the the published application, Stamets’s invention relates to using psilocybin and niacin for neuroregeneration. In particular, it focuses on “neuroregenerative compositions based upon constituents isolated from or contained within mushroom fruitbodies or mycelia, or the corresponding synthetic molecules, combined with niacin.”

Psilocybin Patent Application by Compass Pathways

Compass Pathways appears to have a patent application in Great Britain for “Preparation of Psilocybin, different polymorphic forms, intermediates, formulations and their use”:

Screenshot from the Intellectual Property Office of the UK, showing Compass Pathways patent application and status.

According to Google Patents GB201716505A appears to be a pending application (aka GB Patent application number GB1716505.1) with a priority date of October 9, 2017.

The Compass Pathways IP has already attracted criticism from some members of the psychedelic community. For example, the non-profit organization Chacruna, is concerned that corporate interest in psilocybin could hurt process towards psychedelic therapies. Robert Jesse of John’s Hopkins University fears that corporate influence could create a landscape “clogged by proprietary methods, restrictive licensing, exclusive contracts, patents, and the like.”

Evidence of Patentability – Objective Indicia of Non-Obviousness

More often than not, the patentability of a particular invention turns on whether it would have been “obvious” when it was invented. See Graham Test for Obviousness. Hindsight is a major problem when determining whether an invention would have been obvious when it was invented. (Often, the answer to a problem seems obvious after you see it.)

In order to prevent patent examiners from mistakenly judging inventions with impermissible hindsight, the test for obviousness allows a patent applicant to submit evidence. Accordingly, a patent applicant can respond to an examiner’s rejection by submitting evidence showing that the invention would not have been obvious when it was invented. Such evidence is often called “Objective Indicia of Patentability” or “Secondary Considerations.”

Evidence Submitted by the Applicant Must be Considered by the Patent Examiner.

According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, “Affidavits or declarations, when timely presented, containing evidence of criticality or unexpected results, commercial success, long-felt but unsolved needs, failure of others, skepticism of experts, etc., must be considered by the examiner in determining the issue of obviousness of claims for patentability under 35 U.S.C. 103. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit stated in Stratoflex, Inc. v. Aeroquip Corp., 713 F.2d 1530, 1538, 218 USPQ 871, 879 (Fed. Cir. 1983) that “evidence rising out of the so-called ‘secondary considerations’ must always (when present) be considered en route to a determination of obviousness.”

Categories of Evidence Relevant to Obviousness

Although any evidence submitted by the applicant must be submitted, the list below summarizes the most frequently used categories in order of their relative persuasiveness.

Skepticism by Experts

Long Felt but Unresolved Needs

Failure by Others

Unexpected Results

Licensing or Praise by Others

Copying

Commercial success

These types of evidence (and their relative persuasive value) make sense intuitively. For example, not following the advise of experts in your field strongly supports the conclusion that your invention was not obvious. (Following the advice of experts is generally regarded as obvious).

Evidence of Patentability – Selected Notes and Quotes

Below, I have listed some useful quotes pertaining to submitting evidence of nonobviousness. Most of the language is quoted directly from the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Manual for Patent Examining Procedure. Numbers included in the text refer to sections from that reference, e.g., “716.05 Skepticism of Experts.”

OBJECTIVE EVIDENCE MUST BE CONSIDERED WHEN TIMELY PRESENT

Examiners must consider comparative data in the specification which is intended to illustrate the claimed invention in reaching a conclusion with regard to the obviousness of the claims. In re Margolis, 785 F.2d 1029, 228 USPQ 940 (Fed. Cir. 1986). The lack of objective evidence of nonobviousness does not weigh in favor of obviousness. Miles Labs. Inc. v. Shandon Inc., 997 F.2d 870, 878, 27 USPQ2d 1123, 1129 (Fed. Cir. 1993)

716.01(d) Facts established by rebuttal evidence must be evaluated along with the facts on which the conclusion of a prima facie case was reached, not against the conclusion itself. In re Eli Lilly, 902 F.2d 943, 14 USPQ2d 1741 (Fed. Cir. 1990). In other words, each piece of rebuttal evidence should not be evaluated for its ability to knockdown the prima facie case. All of the competent rebuttal evidence taken as a whole should be weighed against the evidence supporting the prima facie case. In re Piasecki, 745 F.2d 1468, 1472, 223 USPQ 785, 788 (Fed. Cir. 1984).

Evidence that a compound is unexpectedly superior in one of a spectrum of common properties . . . can be enough to rebut a prima facie case of obviousness.”

Presence of a property not possessed by the prior art is evidence of nonobviousness.

Absence of property which a claimed invention would have been expected to possess based on the teachings of the prior art is evidence of unobviousness. Ex parte Mead Johnson & Co., 227 USPQ 78 (Bd. Pat. App. & Inter. 1985) (Based on prior art disclosures, claimed compounds would have been expected to possess beta-andrenergic blocking activity; the fact that claimed compounds did not possess such activity was an unexpected result sufficient to establish unobviousness within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. 103.).

Evidence of unexpected properties may be in the form of a direct or indirect comparison of the claimed invention with the closest prior art which is commensurate in scope with the claims. See In re Boesch, 617 F.2d 272, 205 USPQ 215 (CCPA 1980) and MPEP § 716.02(d) – § 716.02(e).

716.02(d) Unexpected Results Commensurate in Scope With Claimed Invention [R-08.2012] Whether the unexpected results are the result of unexpectedly improved results or a property not taught by the prior art, the “objective evidence of nonobviousness must be commensurate in scope with the claims which the evidence is offered to support.” In other words, the showing of unexpected results must be reviewed to see if the results occur over the entire claimed range. In re Clemens, 622 F.2d 1029, 1036, 206 USPQ 289, 296 (CCPA 1980) (Claims were directed to a process for removing corrosion at “elevated temperatures” using a certain ion exchange resin (with the exception of claim 8 which recited a temperature in excess of 100C). Appellant demonstrated unexpected results via comparative tests with the prior art ion exchange resin at 110C and 130C. The court affirmed the rejection of claims 1-7 and 9-10 because the term “elevated temperatures” encompassed temperatures as low as 60C where the prior art ion exchange resin was known to perform well. The rejection of claim 8, directed to a temperature in excess of 100C, was reversed.). See also In re Peterson, 315 F.3d 1325, 1329-31, 65 USPQ2d 1379, 1382-85 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (data showing improved alloy strength with the addition of 2% rhenium did not evidence unexpected results for the entire claimed range of about 1-3% rhenium); In re Grasselli, 713 F.2d 731, 741, 218 USPQ 769, 777 (Fed. Cir. 1983) (Claims were directed to certain catalysts containing an alkali metal. Evidence presented to rebut an obviousness rejection compared catalysts containing sodium with the prior art. The court held this evidence insufficient to rebut the prima facie case because experiments limited to sodium were not commensurate in scope with the claims.).

DEMONSTRATING CRITICALITY OF A CLAIMED RANGE

To establish unexpected results over a claimed range, applicants should compare a sufficient number of tests both inside and outside the claimed range to show the criticality of the claimed range. In re Hill, 284 F.2d 955, 128 USPQ 197 (CCPA 1960).

716.02(e) Comparison With Closest Prior Art An affidavit or declaration under 37 CFR 1.132 must compare the claimed subject matter with the closest prior art to be effective to rebut a prima facie case of obviousness. In re Burckel, 592 F.2d 1175, 201 USPQ 67 (CCPA 1979). “A comparison of the claimed invention with the disclosure of each cited reference to determine the number of claim limitations in common with each reference, bearing in mind the relative importance of particular limitations, will usually yield the closest single prior art reference.”

THE CLAIMED INVENTION MAY BE COMPARED WITH PRIOR ART THAT IS CLOSER THAN THAT APPLIED BY THE EXAMINER

Applicants may compare the claimed invention with prior art that is more closely related to the invention than the prior art relied upon by the examiner. In re Holladay, 584 F.2d 384, 199 USPQ 516 (CCPA 1978)

THE CLAIMED INVENTION MAY BE COMPARED WITH THE CLOSEST SUBJECT MATTER THAT EXISTS IN THE PRIOR ART

Although evidence of unexpected results must compare the claimed invention with the closest prior art, applicant is not required to compare the claimed invention with subject matter that does not exist in the prior art.

If a particular range is claimed, applicant does not need to show commercial success at every point in the range. “Where, as here, the claims are directed to a combination of ranges and procedures not shown by the prior art, and where substantial commercial success is achieved at an apparently typical point within those ranges, and the affidavits definitely indicate that operation throughout the claimed ranges approximates that at the particular points involved in the commercial operation, we think the evidence as to commercial success is persuasive.” In re Hollingsworth, 253 F.2d 238, 240, 117 USPQ 182, 184 (CCPA 1958).

THE CLAIMED INVENTION MUST SATISFY A LONG-FELT NEED WHICH WAS RECOGNIZED, PERSISTENT, AND NOT SOLVED BY OTHERS

Establishing long-felt need requires objective evidence that an art recognized problem existed in the art for a long period of time without solution. First, the need must have been a persistent one that was recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. In re Gershon, 372 F.2d 535, 539, 152 USPQ 602, 605 (CCPA 1967) Second, the long-felt need must not have been satisfied by another before the invention by applicant. Newell Companies v. Kenney Mfg. Co., 864 F.2d 757, 768, 9 USPQ2d 1417, 1426 (Fed. Cir. 1988). Third, the invention must in fact satisfy the long-felt need. In re Cavanagh, 436 F.2d 491, 168 USPQ 466 (CCPA 1971).

LONG-FELT NEED IS MEASURED FROM THE DATE A PROBLEM IS IDENTIFIED AND EFFORTS ARE MADE TO SOLVE IT

Long-felt need is analyzed as of the date the problem is identified and articulated, and there is evidence of efforts to solve that problem, not as of the date of the most pertinent prior art references. Texas Instruments Inc. v. Int’l Trade Comm’n, 988 F.2d 1165, 1179, 26 USPQ2d 1018, 1029 (Fed. Cir. 1993).

716.06 Copying – Evidence of copying was persuasive of nonobviousness when an alleged infringer tried for a substantial length of time to design a product or process similar to the claimed invention, but failed and then copied the claimed invention instead. Dow Chem. Co. v. American Cyanamid Co., 816 F.2d 617, 2 USPQ2d 1350 (Fed. Cir. 1987).

Patenting Cannabis Beer

The Wall Street Journal just reported that a Corona brewer has agreed to invest nearly $200 million in a Canadian marijuana grower, with plans to develop cannabis-infused drinks, e.g., cannabis beer.

Constellation Brands Inc. has agreed to take a 9.9% stake in Canopy Growth Corp., a Canadian marijuana company. Constellation Brands plans to work with Canopy growth to make and sell cannabis-infused beverages.

This collaboration caught our attention because of the opportunities for creating new patentable subject matter.

In another article, we wrote about patenting beer and brewing inventions. In that article, we explained that a new beer can be patented as a “composition of matter.” Defining the beer as a chemical invention provides numerous opportunities for distinguishing it from the prior art. The critical requirement is explaining how it differs from all other beers.

The cannabis plant comprises about 500 different molecules. Many of those molecules have never been formulated into beers.

Cannabis Beer Inventions

Given that cannabis beer is a relatively new field, the “prior art” is relatively sparse. There are very few cannabis beers in existence. Accordingly, there are very few compositions combining the molecules in beer with the molecules in cannabis. As a result, many varieties of cannabis beer could be defined as new (i.e., different from anything previously made) compositions of matter.

The chemical profiles of cannabis beers could be used to distinguish that class of beers from all previously made beers. An inventor making that class of beers for the first time could claim the exclusive right to those inventions.

What is the process for patenting a cannabis beer?

First, distinguish the cannabis beer from any previously existing chemical composition. (Ask – what makes this different?) Then, use those points of distinction to define the invention. Then, claim that invention.
After drafting claims, file those as part of a patent application at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”).
During patent prosecution at the USPTO, the application will be evaluated by an examiner. During that process, the inventor has the opportunity to explain why the claimed cannabis beer is both new and innovative (i.e., nonobvious). After convincing the examiner of the newness and nonobviousness of the claimed beer, the examiner allows the claims. Then, the inventor receives a patent on the new beer composition. That patent provides the inventor with the exclusive right to make, use, or sell the claimed composition.

Psilocybin Technology – Magic Molecules from Magic Mushrooms

Recently psilocybin (the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms”) has received considerable attention. Professor David Nutt and his team at the Imperial College of London recently published an article in Scientific Reports about “Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression: fMRI-measured brain mechanisms.” The study demonstrated that administering the psilocybin resulted in “pushing [the brains of depressed people] out of their depressive states.” This effect is analogous to electroshock therapy — where a person’s brain is effectively rebooted.

Although psilocybin is currently a schedule I drug, the laws may be changing. Recently, the Huffington Post and many others reported that California may legalize (or decriminalize) psilocybin. In addition to Dr. Nutt’s work in treating depression, the Financial Times reported that Compass Pathways will soon test it for therapeutic value as an antidepressant. Scientists at John’s Hopkins University are also studying the use of psilocybin for treating anxiety and depression.

Is New Psilocybin Technology Patentable?

Answer: Yes.

Psilocybe Cyanescens is one of about 200 species of naturally occurring “magic mushrooms” that contain the molecule psilocybin

About a year ago, we posted an article about Patenting Mushroom Inventions. Our thesis was simple. Many types of mushroom (or fungi) inventions could give rise to patentable subject matter. Such patentable subject matter can be divided into the following categories: Compositions of matter; Methods or Processes; Plants or Living organisms; and Machines or Devices. Of these categories, we explained that composition of matter inventions were almost certainly the most valuable kind of mushroom inventions.

The above articles signify the beginning of a new field — psilocybin technology. Developing a new field often involves rapid innovation and pioneering inventions. In other words, new industries often develop first-in-kind technologies as opposed to optimizing or refining existing technology. We recently saw this sort of innovation in the cannabis space. Below, I have compared the development of the cannabis industry with the impending emergence of the psilocybin industry.

Comparing the Patentability of Psilocybin Inventions with Cannabis Inventions.

The present psilocybin situation shares many similarities with the recent explosion of the cannabis industry. Here’s why:

Not long ago, cannabis (a naturally occurring plant) was demonized as an extremely dangerous drug with no medicinal or therapeutic value. It was criminalized in about 1970 under the controlled substances act as classified as a Schedule I Controlled Substance.

Then, people realized that this characterization of cannabis may have been somewhat mistaken.

Now, we have an enormous recreational and medicinal cannabis industry.

This young industry is rapidly developing better, safer, and more effective cannabis technologies. For example, the cannabis technology leader ebbu, LLC has created a whole new category of formulated cannabis products with effects unexpectedly different from the plant itself. New, man-made cannabis inventions like those are patentable.

Opportunities for Breakthrough Technologies

The Psilocybin and cannabis fields both share three critical features. First, both are products of nature. Second, those natural products were criminalized by 1970’s laws, based on 1970’s reasoning. Third, that criminal status chilled innovation. As a result of these three facts, many naturally occurring substances (in both “magic mushrooms” and cannabis) were understudied and underdeveloped. Accordingly, the these industries remained stuck in about 1970. Until recently, the state of the art for cannabis was smoking plant matter. The state of the art for psilocybin is almost exclusively eating mushrooms.

The situation for psilocybin technology is slightly different from cannabis. We have the benefit of history. We have been watching the cannabis industry develop. Accordingly, we have a pretty good analogy for how things will play out.

Most likely, the state of the art will evolve beyond eating mushrooms and exclusively focusing on only one molecule. Soon, scientists will recognize that those magic mushrooms have dozens of pharmacologically active magic molecules that can be purposely formulated into safer, more effective, and more reliable products. These advances will arise from human innovation, making them patentable.

Patenting Baby Technology

Over the past year I have become extremely interested in strategies for patenting baby technology. Why? Because the industry is enormous and products designed for infants and toddlers are constantly evolving. Each new generation of baby products seeks to provide parents with useful (and hopefully beneficial) technology.

At Chadeayne, LLC, we have spent about the last year evaluating a series of baby products with an eye towards identifying critical differences and opportunities for patenting new ideas.

First, “baby technology” can include several kinds of products. (I’ve listed some of them below.)

These products could fall into one or more categories of patentable subject matter, including Devices, Machines, Compositions of Matter, and Processes. See “What can I patent?” Once framed within one of these categories, the usual criteria for patentability apply.

Baby Inventions – Examples of Patentable Ideas

New child care products constantly enter the marketplace. These include things like nail clippers, thermometers, monitors, diapers, lotions, soaps, teethers, clothes, furniture, etc. Here’s a recent example of how I stumbled upon a source of innovative baby products….

Earlier this week, I was walking on Front Street in Issaquah, Washington. I noticed a new BooginHeadstore. I couldn’t help myself from banging on the window because I have been really geeking out over baby technology. They let me in. (I love Issaquah).
Within 5 minutes, I could tell that BooginHead is an innovative company. They are making new products. They focus on solving problems and creating better products for parents.

BooginHead’s SippiGrip is a great example of innovation within the BabyTech space

After a small amount of web research, I confirmed my hypothesis. About a decade ago, BooginHead’s CEO, Sari Davidson, developed a new product called SippiGrip. The SippiGrip product basically solves parents’ problems with their child’s cup throwing games. Since then BooginHead has been dedicated to “launching new and useful product for parents.” Thank you Sari and BooginHead!

Can I Patent My Baby Invention?

At a high level any question of patentability usually depends on whether the invention is new. In other words, has the invention been previously disclosed?If not, then the invention is probably new.
The second question is whether the invention would have been obvious when it was invented? If not, has any combination of publications provided enough guidance to render the invention obvious? In other words, would another baby tech innovator have considered your invention obvious after reviewing the prior art?
When I work with inventors, I usually suggest organizing the closest alternatives to their invention into a table of differences. I find that making a table of differences often improves the information exchange between innovators and their patent professionals.

Categories of Patentable Baby Products

Baby Foods and Feeding

Although natural foods are not patentable (not new), the number of engineered foods increases every day. These include baby formula, nutritional supplements, etc. Patenting new food technology in a separate post. Those principles apply to baby foods.

In addition to foods, the industry is constantly introducing new feeding technology. Feeding technology includes products like cups, bottles, plates, flatware, placemats, etc.

Electronics, Software and Mobile Device Apps for Kids

In today’s world, there’s an app for almost everything, including entertaining and/or educating children. Accordingly, we see lots of new apps for tablets (e.g., ipad aps), phones (e.g., iPhone apps), televisions, computers, so-called “Kids’ Electronics,”Video Games, or other technology designed for children.
These new and useful software tools are potentially patentable as methods, systems, and/or processes. For example, at Chadeayne LLC, we have an ongoing project that is focused on developing an educational mobile app for 0-2 year olds.

Kids’ Furniture

Little people have many special furniture needs. For example parents of small children often need ways of safely, comfortably, and reliably confining their children. Devices for confinement include cribs (and variations like pack-n-play), car seat, pillows, bouncy chairs, Kids’ Décor & Storage, swings, and non-tipping seats, etc. New baby furniture products are usually patentable as devices or machines.

Methods Useful for Babies

New methods or processes are potentially patentable. Sometimes the new method of process exists alongside a new device or composition. However, sometimes the innovation arises from using an old device in a new way. In either case, the method or process is potentially patentable. The challenge to patentability comes from defining the new method or process in a way that demonstrates some concrete real-world results. (Not just abstract thinking).

At Chadeayne LLC, we are presently working to create several new methods of teaching children under 2. For example, we are working with leaders in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to develop methods of teaching children under two Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Sounds crazy right? Good. That’s one indication that it’s probably innovative activity.

I just came across New MOOD. New Mood is a supplement made by Onnit. Onnit claims that New Mood improves your mood and reduces your mental stress. Sounds awesome, right? I think so, especially because I am interested in the patentability of nutraceuticals and nootropics.

After a quick look at the New Mood technology, my two big questions are as follows:
1. Could Onnit patent this?
2. Does New Mood really work?

1. Patenting a combination of known, naturally occurring ingredients

From what I can tell, New Mood is a combination of known, naturally occurring ingredients. Normally, so-called “products of nature” are not patentable. (A product of nature is not new. A product of nature is not “man made.”)
However, in the case of New Mood, the naturally occurring ingredients are combined into a specific formula that is NOT found in nature. Accordingly, it is “man made” and (potentially) new.

2. Does New Mood Provide Unexpected Results?

It’s possible that the answer to question #2 determines the answer to the question of patentability. Here’s what I mean: If New Mood really is a “gamechanger,” like Onnit claims, then that “game changing” achievement could help them earn a patent on the composition.

Provided that the New Mood composition is “new,” then the question of patentability would probably turn on “obviousness.” Here, I think the question of patentability would depend on whether this particular combination provides some sort of unexpected results when compared to the known properties of the ingredients.

I’m eager to learn more about this invention. Is it a”game changing” technological advance or a clever marketing campaign? The former is probably patentable. The latter is probably not.

Nootropic Technology and Patents

Nootropics are also called “smart drugs” or cognitive enhancers. The term “nootropic’ covers drugs, supplements, or other substances that improve cognitive function. In particular, these substances improve so-called “executive functions” such as memory, creativity, or motivation.

Recently, ebbu, the leader in engineered cannabis products has figured out how to make formulations that enhance creativity and focus without the undesired side effects often associated with cannabis.

The Neurohacker Collective offers a product called Qualia, which they define as “a supplement stack with 42 ingredients that will optimize every major system of your brain so you can be more productive and create more impact in the world.”

In an article from Cognitune Smarter Health, they say, “Smart pills and nootropics for brain function support exist in various forms. Most of them are effective in boosting specific areas of mental cognition.”

Research and development in nootropics appears to be growing rapidly. And rightfully so. Who wouldn’t want a simple way to enhance cognitive function? Now, the question on my mind: Can we patent these nootropics?

Patenting Nootropic Innovations

Nootropic research interests me for two reasons — one personal and one professional.

Personally, I like the idea of supercharging my brain. Taken to the extreme, is there a supplement that would help me learn things faster? Could I learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques in a few minutes instead of a few months? Ideally, I would like to learn things as rapidly as my 8 month old.

Professionally, I like the field of nootropics because of the opportunities for creating patentable subject matter.

Nootropics can be claimed as compositions of matter. Compositions of matter patents are my favorite because they define the invention chemically. (I love chemistry and chemical patent law). Also, I think composition claims are among the strongest claims available to an inventor because they cover all uses of the claimed composition.

Patenting New Formulations of Naturally Occurring Compounds

I’m also interested in nootropics because many of them appear to be found in nature — in plants and fungi. That creates some interesting questions of patentability. Here’s why: A natural product cannot be patented. It’s not new. It has been around forever in nature. And under US patent law, only new things can be patented.

However, while the naturally occurring form of the nootropic cannot be patented, newforms or formulations of the nootropic can be patented. Accordingly, if researchers discover a cognitive enhancer in some naturally occurring mushroom, they could not patent the mushroom itself. (It’s not new). But, they could probably patent purified forms of the nootropic and/or new formulations using that nootropic. They could also pursue new methods of purifying the nootropic and/or formulating it. In each case, the critical question is whether the “invention” is the product of human engineering. (For a related discussion, see the uproar over Nestle and its patents related to the Fennel flower).

Likewise, a company like Neurohacker could seek patent protection for their Qualia product– assuming that their combination of 42 ingredients is a new combination. Provided that the combination is new, the major hurdle to patentability would probably come down to whether that combination would have been “obvious” when the Neurohacker researchers made it.

At a high level, I cannot think of too many 42-member combinations that are “obvious” to formulate without some sort of guidance. Nevertheless, the invention would be evaluated at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by the legal standard of obviousness. Under that standard, I suspect that the inventors could demonstrate that their combination is not obvious by providing evidence about how that combination optimizes every major system of the users brain and/or makes the user more productive and/or allows the user to create more impact in the world.

Can I Patent a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Invention?

Yes, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu inventions are patentable.

One example of a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu patent is the Elite Intensity Band. According to their website, Elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has developed and patented a system to provide a clear visible indication of the level of intensity at which each member wishes to train. “By having a standardized method of measurement for intensity our members can help each other calibrate, our Professors and Coaches can help make better match ups, and new members feel more comfortable participating in the sport knowing there is awareness and process to reduce injury and ensure the best experience for all members.”

Elite Intensity Band

How Do I Patent My BJJ Invention?

The inventor of new BJJ gear can draft patent claims and file a patent application directed to that new technology. To be patentable, the BJJ technology must be “new.” In other words, it must be different from all BJJ technology existing before it.
In addition to being “new,” the invention must not be an obvious variation of BJJ technology that existed when the new BJJ technology was invented. The legal test for obviousness is often very complicated. The test of “obviousness” is called the Graham Test, which we wrote about it in an early post.
As a rough guide, an inventor should be able to receive patent protection on any significant improvement over the state of the art. (For example, a better mouth guard, a new fabric, or a new design for a training tool). In the case of BJJ gear: the greater the difference from existing gear, the more likely it is that the invention can be patented. Also, if the invention provides an unexpected benefit beyond similar BJJ gear, then it is probably patentable.

What about Patenting BJJ Techniques?

In my mind, one interesting question involves patenting BJJ techniques. New BJJ techniques are appearing every day. For example, last night I watched a video of Eddie Bravo teaching rubber guard to Rickson Gracie. (Granted the video was from 2014 but it illustrates innovation in BJJ techniques).

In theory, a truly new BJJ technique could be patented. It would be a NEW method of self defense. Provided that it wasn’t obvious, that method would fulfill the requirements for patentability (New and not obvious). In theory, the patent holder could exclude others from using the technique. Crazy right? Here’s how it would work:

Presumably, at some point, Eddie Bravo’s rubber guard was new. At that time, Mr. Bravo could have filed a patent application on that rubber guard technique. Once granted, Mr. Bravo would have owned the right to exclude all others from practicing/using the rubber guard.

In the case of Mr. Bravo’s rubber guard, patentability is now a moot point. It’s not “new” anymore because more than one year has elapsed since the invention was publicly disclosed on Youtube. Nevertheless, the academic questions about patenting a BJJ technique remain: Could one of the many innovative BJJ practitioners exclude others from using a new technique they develop? Or, could they charge a royalty for using that technique?

Thankfully, I suspect that patenting BJJ techniques will remain a purely academic question. For the patent geeks out there, I’ve included the video below so that you can think about how Mr. Bravo’s disclosure probably satisfies all of the written description, enablement, and best mode requirements within a publicly available time-stamped disclosure. You might also notice how Mr. Gracie’s reaction seems to support the notion that the technique was NOT obvious at the time. (Think “skepticism by experts”).